Text messages from press row . . .

Are Donald Sterling and the Clippers trying to build an NBA championship contender or staff a Hollywood production studio? . . .

Or both? . . .

Would-be movie moguls (and teammates-to-be?) Elton Brand and Baron Davis already have shown they’re capable of green-lighting improbable playoff runs, Brand helping the Clippers end a nine-year playoff drought two years ago and Davis helping the Golden State Warriors end a 13-year playoff absence a year later. . . .

What miracles might they perform playing together? . . .

Lakers draft pick Joe Crawford is the older brother of Jordan Crawford, who played with Clippers draft pick Eric Gordon at Indiana last season. . . .

In a nationally televised Indiana victory over Kentucky on Dec. 8 at Bloomington, Ind., Jordan outscored his older brother, 20-10, on a day when fellow freshman Gordon sat out because of an injured tailbone. . . .

Fans chanted, “Jordan’s better.” . . .

It’s remarkable that catchers are not hit more often by swinging bats, as Humberto Quintero of the Houston Astros was Tuesday night when the Dodgers’ Luis Maza inadvertently nailed him on the head with his backswing. . . .

In the ninth inning of the most bizarre no-hitter anyone around here has ever witnessed, the Angels trailing the Dodgers and trying to rally despite giving up no hits Saturday night, Vin Scully told the Fox audience, “How many times crowds have stood and roared as a pitcher was pitching a no-hitter? This is in reverse. This is ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ We’ve just gone through the mirror.” . . .

Dodgers Manager Joe Torre told reporters that Donald Trump later phoned him, “Telling me what a good manager I am to win with no hits.” . . .

Sunday, he lost with two. . . .

John Lackey has been nothing short of spectacular for the Angels since coming off the disabled list in mid-May, pitching at least seven innings in each of his nine starts and giving up two runs or fewer in all but one. . . .

It’s a good time to be a Spaniard, what with Pau Gasol helping the Lakers reach the NBA Finals, Javier Bardem winning an Academy Award (and dating Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz), Fernando Torres scoring the only goal in his country’s biggest soccer victory since the 1960s and French Open champion Rafael Nadal threatening to end Roger Federer’s reign at Wimbledon. . . .

Viva Espana! . . .

Football fans too are itching for Brett Favre to return. . . .

Noting that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says rookies shouldn’t be paid so much, Gary West of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram wonders why Paul Tagliabue’s replacement was paid $11.2 million in his first year on the job. ...

That’s more than Peyton Manning made last season. . . .

The projected starting lineup for Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s U.S. Olympic basketball team -- Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Dwight Howard -- could use a Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan to stabilize the front line, but neither was interested in making the trip to Beijing. . . .

By the way, nice touch by Coach K to adopt Marvin Gaye’s memorable version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” as his team’s unofficial theme. . . .

Gaye, who electrified the Forum and a national television audience when he performed the anthem at the 1983 NBA All-Star game, later said, “Mahalia Jackson inspired me,” referring to the gospel legend, “and so did Dr. J.” . . .

Eating 63 hot dogs in 12 minutes probably is not so good for your digestive system, but apparently it can do wonders for your bank account. ...

Competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, six-time winner of the annual Nathan’s hot dog eating contest on Coney Island and runner-up last July 4 to Joey Chestnut of San Jose, commands $15,000 an appearance on the lecture circuit, Outside magazine reports. . . .

He relishes every opportunity. . . .

Perhaps the tepid response to Mike Myers’ new movie, “The Love Guru,” has something to do with its only-in-Hollywood plot line: the Kings and Myers’ favorite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, meet in the Stanley Cup finals. . . .

How believable is that? . . .

Dario Franchitti may have lost his ride, but the Scotsman who is 41st in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings is still married to Ashley Judd. . . .

Que sera, sera.

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jerome.crowe@latimes.com